A federal judge just ruled that Mahmoud Khalil, a leader of the anti-Israel protests at Columbia University, can be deported from the United States. The decision is a major win for the Trump administration, which has taken a strong stand against campus chaos and antisemitism. Khalil, a legal resident from Syria, helped organize protests that disrupted classes and targeted Jewish students. The judge agreed with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said Khalil’s actions hurt America’s foreign policy interests.
The ruling shows that coming to America is a privilege, not a right. Khalil broke the rules by lying on his green card application and leading violent protests. He pushed Columbia to cut ties with Israel and supported groups linked to terrorism. Secretary Rubio’s memo proved Khalil’s behavior created a hostile environment for Jewish students. If you attack our allies and spread hate, you don’t deserve to stay here.
Khalil’s lawyers claim this is about free speech, but that’s a lie. Free speech doesn’t mean you can threaten Jewish students or shut down campuses. Imagine if the KKK blocked black students from going to class—everyone would demand action. The double standard is obvious. The Trump administration is finally holding people accountable for crossing the line from protest to harassment.
This case sends a clear message to foreign students: follow the law or leave. Khalil is married to an American and has a baby on the way, but that doesn’t excuse his actions. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said he “harbors animosity toward America,” and she’s right. If you cheer for terrorists or attack Jewish students, you forfeit the right to live here.
The left-wing media will call this unfair, but common sense Americans know better. Colleges have let antisemitism fester for too long. Columbia even let protesters trap janitors in buildings during their rallies. Now the feds are stepping in to clean up the mess. This ruling could lead to more deportations of radical activists who abuse their student visas.
Some worry this hurts free speech, but that’s a smokescreen. Khalil wasn’t arrested for his opinions—he’s facing consequences for breaking immigration laws and endangering others. The First Amendment doesn’t protect fraud or violence. If foreign nationals want to stay here, they should respect our values and our friends like Israel.
The judge gave Khalil’s team until April 23 to appeal, but the evidence is overwhelming. His own lawyers admitted the government’s case was “facially reasonable.” Activist judges can’t save him this time. This is a win for law and order, and a warning to universities that coddle extremists.
America is a generous nation, but we’re not a doormat. The Trump administration is putting America first by deporting troublemakers like Khalil. If you side with terrorists, threaten Jews, or lie to get into our country, you’re out. This is how we restore safety and common sense to our campuses—and our borders.
